2014's Best Corporate Holiday Gifts For Professional Women

Corporate gift giving is on the rise as the economy is growing more quickly than in past years. Gift giving slumped from 2008 through 2012, but in 2013, many merchants saw their best year yet. Even more promising, 2014 is on target to surpass last year. Here are a few gifting trends to share, and then let’s dive into my curated suggestions of hot gifts for working women this year.

Balancing Class & Affordability Is Key – What’s the going rate for a nice corporate gift for professional women this year? This can vary greatly based on one’s budget and preferences, but for the cost-conscious, $60 is the sweet spot. To make a bigger impression, $100 is just right.

Real Estate Pros Are Back In The Game – For the past six years, few people in the realty industry purchased extravagant corporate gifts at the holidays. But as house prices in key U.S. regions have increased, more realtors are interested in giving clients gifts. Those in law, financial services, consulting, and medicine were already onboard last year with higher-priced presents.

The Variety Of Hot Gifts Is Expanding – I have assembled a list of fab finds to satisfy most of the female professionals out there – from the fashionistas and foodies to the frequent travelers and furniture aficionados. I begin with the most affordable items and move up to more luxurious offerings, while remaining under $300.

Photo by JD Hancock

1. Give a book, Unplug Every Day: 365 Ways to Log Off and Live Better. This book offers ingenious ways to log off of any device, so that you can appreciate your surroundings and enjoy life outside of work. Even workaholics need to unplug on occasion! $14, barnesandnoble.com.

2. Pink Travel Pillow. For frequent fliers or those commuting by train, there’s a great product that makes travel more comfortable – and five percent of the purchase goes to the Breast Cancer Research Fund. With raised sides and toggles to assure the right fit, this neck pillow actually works and matches almost any budget. $35, cabeau.com.

3. Grey Lace Scarf. This cream, black and grey scarf with an ornate lace pattern can add panache and a feminine touch to blazers, cardigans and suits. This accessory goes with almost any outfit and will surely elicit compliments in and out of the office. $60, bananarepublic.com.

4. Le Creuset Cafe Stoneware French Press. This decorative item would be great in any office or kitchen and is just right for the true coffee connoisseur on your list. $60, williams-sonoma.com.

5. Artisan Vinegar Club. Colleagues who love cooking – or enjoy enhancing takeout dishes – would appreciate a membership to this club. They’ll taste and learn the nuances of real apple cider vinegar, banana vinegar and the complex solera system that ages Spain's famed sherry vinegar. Some featured vinegars are new culinary inventions, others have been made the same way for a thousand years. The membership comes with recipes, stories and a history of each month’s vinegar. $99, for three months; $189, for six months, zingermans.com.

6. Weekend in Paris Gift Basket. This is one gift basket few can forget, as it includes a sophisticated collection of authentic French delicacies, including chocolate truffles, blue cheese and walnut crackers, almond macaroons, Paris tea, Moet & Chandon champagne and more. $200, gourmetgiftbaskets.com.

7. Monogrammed Letterpress Stationary. Bring classy back with this gift, which is perfect for the woman who still loves to write and mail some of the most elegant notes you’ll ever see. $215, crane.com.

8. Valextra Textured-Leather Passport Cover. Handcrafted in Italy from textured leather, this bright red passport cover is easy to find in any traveler’s hand luggage. It also will help to keep the lucky recipient organized with its coordinating orange cardholder. $240, net-a-porter.com.

9. Red Matchstick Coffee Table. For women on your list who adore modern design, this coffee table truly has the wow-factor. Under a glass top, this table’s legs resemble red-topped matchsticks. This American-made original would be the perfect accent to a contemporary sitting area in a corner office, and a conversation piece for visitors from board members to family members. $280, homespundesign.com.

10. Cedar Street Medium Harmony Purse. What woman in business wouldn’t love to walk into the office or an important meeting sporting one of these lovely purses? (They can also carry a laptop, as if you needed another reason to buy one.) $298, katespade.com.

Of course, you also can purchase gift certificates or one-time use promotion codes at many of these sites, especially for associates that you don’t know that well. But for those you know well, taking the extra time and effort to shop for just the right, memorable and meaningful item could pay big dividends -- in business and in friendship for years to come. I wish you all a prosperous and fun holiday season.

Trudy Abood is the Owner and Vice President of GourmetGiftBaskets, a $20 million company that’s one of the fastest-growing players in the U.S. gifting industry.